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Easy Slow Cooker Chili

Chili Super Bowl Labor Day 4th of July Father's Day March Madness Slow Cooking Slow Cookers Dinner Party Potluck Gluten Free Beef Ground Beef Sour Cream Vegetable Oil Cumin Spices Kidney Beans Garlic Scallions Lunch Weeknight Dinner Winter Comfort Food Main Dish Easy
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Chili Super Bowl Labor Day 4th of July Father's Day March Madness Slow Cooking Slow Cookers Dinner Party Potluck Gluten Free Beef Ground Beef Sour Cream Vegetable Oil Cumin Spices Kidney Beans Garlic Scallions Lunch Weeknight Dinner Winter Comfort Food Main Dish Easy
6 servings Easy
Total: Active:
253 Ratings 

Ingredients (15)

For the chili:

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 medium yellow onions, medium dice
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, medium dice
  • 6 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pickled jalapeños or green chiles, drained

For serving:

  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Thinly sliced scallions
  • Sour cream
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Nutritional Information
  • Calories531
  • Fat24.61g
  • Saturated fat6.84g
  • Trans fat0.87g
  • Carbs37.95g
  • Fiber12.76g
  • Sugar11.49g
  • Protein41.29g
  • Cholesterol98.28mg
  • Sodium1326.63mg
  • Nutritional Analysis per serving (6 servings) Powered by

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Easy Slow Cooker Chili

When you look at your Crock Pot, what do you see bubbling inside? We see chili — the most basic, easy use for your slow cooker. It’s a protein-packed, savory, filling warm dish especially good for cold days. To start developing the flavors, sauté the vegetables, ground beef, and spices, then put the mixture into the Crock Pot along with tomatoes and kidney beans. Let it do its thing overnight or all day until it’s thickened and has a nice beefy flavor, and then stir in jalapeños for a kick of heat. Serve with Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins or Nacho Cheese Crackers, or as a substitute chili component of these Chili Cheese Dogs. And get even more slow cooker soup and stew recipes to keep you warm.

To use dried beans in place of canned, start with 1 cup dried beans, soaked and cooked to yield 3 cups.

Make-ahead note: The flavors continue to develop as the chili sits, so go ahead and make it up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate it in a container with a tight-*fitting lid. It can also be frozen for up to 1 month.

Get more great slow cooker recipes, tips, and tricks for when you’re in between batches of chili.

by Christine Gallary
  • What to buy

    Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker, $39.99 on Amazon

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Tips for Beef and Ground Beef

Tip
How to Thaw Beef
As with most meat, the safest way to thaw beef is in the refrigerator. Small cuts of beef can take up to 24 hours, while larger slabs can take a few days. If you’re in a pinch, frozen beef can be thawed in a bowl or container of lukewarm water. Place the bowl or container in the sink and leave under a running faucet. Never allow raw beef to thaw or sit on a counter or cutting board. Since it takes longer to thaw than most meats, it is more susceptible to bacteria growth.
Read More
1 of 5
Next: How to Freeze Beef
Tip
How to Freeze Beef
In order to effectively freeze beef, you’ll want to limit its exposure to air. This not only prevents the production of freezer burn, but also extends its shelf life to three months or longer. The best way to package beef is to wrap it tightly in freezer paper or plastic wrap. You should then wrap the meat in a layer of aluminum foil or place it in a plastic bag.
Read More
2 of 5
Next: How to Store Beef
Tip
How to Store Beef
For ground beef, keep refrigerated and use within one to two days. It can stay in its original container if the packaging hasn’t been opened. Steaks follow the same protocol, but can last a bit longer at three to five days. It’s actually best to allow a little airflow with stored meat, as tightly-adhered plastic like Saran wrap can make meat sweat and, as a result, less tender. Meat can be transferred to plastic containers, but should be covered loosely.

Never refrigerate raw meat if it’s been sitting out beyond two hours.
Read More
3 of 5
Next: How to Pick Ground Beef
Tip
How to Pick Ground Beef
The possibilities with ground beef are seemingly endless, though you’ll probably want to pay the most attention to cost and fat content. Naturally, the lower the fat content, the higher the price. A leaner meat; however, may not taste as moist and flavorful, so keep that in mind if you’re making a meal that’s prone to dryness (like meatloaf or hamburgers). Sometimes the extra fat can make or break a dish.
Read More
4 of 5
Next: How to Thaw Ground Beef
Tip
How to Thaw Ground Beef
Like other meats, the best way to thaw ground beef is to leave it in the refrigerator. If you’re in a pinch, take out your frozen meat and place it on a plate under running cold water. A microwave may also work, but it is likely to start cooking your meat, which you’ll want to avoid.
Read More
5 of 5
Next: How to Thaw Beef

Instructions

  1. 1Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and bell pepper, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes.
  2. 2Add the garlic, chili powder, and cumin, stir to coat the vegetables, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the ground beef and measured salt and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until the beef is no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
  3. 3Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker, add the diced tomatoes and their juices, tomato sauce, and beans, and stir to combine. Cover and cook until the chili thickens and the flavors meld, about 8 hours on low or 6 hours on high.
  4. 4Stir in the jalapeños or green chiles. Taste and season with salt as needed, and serve with the cheese, scallions, and sour cream.
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